Chronic Pain and Sleep

Chronic pain is all-consuming. It affects your physical health and the quality of your sleep at night. You cannot sleep if you are in pain, and further sleep deprivation turns your pain worse. However, there are some strategies you can adopt to fix your sleep amidst this.

First of all, the creation of a normal sleep pattern is important. The body becomes accustomed to falling asleep and rising during the same time every day; this figures into its biological rhythm. A scientifically perceived activity usually done before sleeping—a book, a warm bath, or even some deep-breathing exercises—may hint at one’s body that it is time to keep things slow. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine well before bedtime.

Your sleep environment will also play an important role. Make your bedroom a sleep haven: cool, dark, quiet. In addition, a good mattress and the right supportive pillows do help a lot as well. Some people find elevating their legs or using a body pillow allows them to bypass certain discomforts, making it easier to fall asleep.